Systems and Methods for Identifying a Geographical Area in a Commercial Mobile Alert Service Message

ABSTRACT

Geographical locations can be encoded in alert messages and the encoded geographical locations can be processed are disclosed. Emergency alerts can be received from an emergency provider or governmental agency comprising a geographical code. The code can be evaluated to determine a geographical location by determining a primary location, such as a state or region, and a secondary location such as a county. This information can be used to determine the devices within a wireless network that should receive the alert message.

BACKGROUND

The Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) was established by the FederalCommunications Commission (FCC) to allow wireless service providers tosend emergency alerts to their subscribers. Such alerts are initiallyintended to be in the form of text messages, but may also take the formof audio and video alerts. The CMAS network will allow emergencyservices agencies, such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA), to accept and aggregate alerts from federal, state, and localemergency operations centers, and send the alerts over a secureinterface to wireless providers. The wireless providers can thendistribute the alerts to their customers.

Emergency alerts issued by emergency services agencies may be intendedto reach users in a specific geographical area. For instance, in theevent of an impending potential natural disaster such as a hurricane, anemergency service agency may wish to notify the populations of thecounties that have been determined to be most likely to be impacted bythe potential disaster.

There are currently three types of emergency alerts. Presidential Alertsrelate to national emergencies, Imminent Threat Alerts relate toemergencies where life or property is at risk, such as hurricanes ortornadoes, and Child Abduction Emergency/AMBER Alerts relate to missingor endangered children due to an abduction or runaway situation.Subscribers may be able to opt-out of receiving Imminent Threat andChild Abduction/AMBER alerts, but may not be permitted to opt-out ofPresidential Alerts.

SUMMARY

Systems and methods are disclosed for encoding a geographical locationin an emergency alert. In one embodiment, a geographical location code,or geocode, includes two sections. The first section may indicate alarger geographical region, such as a state, group of states, or sectionof a country. The second section may indicate a smaller geographicalregion, such as county or equivalent area. In some embodiments, specificcodes may indicate the entire country or an entire region or area of thecountry. In one embodiment, the first section may consist of twocharacters or digits and the second section may consist of threecharacters or digits.

Systems and methods are also disclosed for interpreting geocodes. In oneembodiment, a received emergency alert containing a geocode is processedand the region represented by the geocode is determined. Based on thatdetermination, specific devices within a network are determined that arein, or otherwise service, the geographical region specified by ageocode. A broadcast message including contents of the emergency alertmay then be sent to such devices, and those devices may transmit thebroadcast message to users' devices in the geographical region. Otherembodiments and aspects of the present disclosure are also describedherein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described indetail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like numeralsrepresent like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a non-limiting, exemplary systemarchitecture in which systems and methods for identifying a geographicalarea in a commercial mobile alert service message may be implemented.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of a non-limiting, exemplary method of processingan emergency alert message based on a geographical area identified inthe emergency alert.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a non-limiting, exemplary wireless devicethat may be used in connection with an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a non-limiting, exemplary processor inwhich the present subject matter may be implemented.

FIG. 5 is an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-based mobilecellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in which thepresent subject matter may be implemented.

FIG. 6 illustrates a non-limiting, exemplary architecture of a typicalGPRS network as segmented into four groups.

FIG. 7 illustrates a non-limiting alternate block diagram of anexemplary GSM/GPRS/IP multimedia network architecture in which thepresent subject matter may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In one embodiment, CMAS emergency alerts may be provided using UniversalMobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and/or Global System for Mobilecommunications (GSM) cell broadcast technologies. This disclosureprovides methods and systems for encoding a geographical area in a CMASemergency alert, and methods and systems for processing a CMAS emergencyalert containing an indication of a geographical area.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture 100 that may be used toprovide emergency alerts to mobile devices using GSM, UMTS, or otherwireless network technologies. An alert generated by a governmental oremergency services agency may be referred to as a Commercial MobileAlert Message (CMAM). CMAM 101 may be generated at or otherwise providedto a wireless carrier or wireless service provider, referred to hereinas a Commercial Mobile Service Provider (CMSP), by Alert Gateway 110,which may be a Commercial Mobile Alert System (CMAS) alert gateway, andmay be operated by a governmental or emergency services agency. AlertGateway 110 may transmit CMAM 101 to CMSP Gateway 120. CMSP Gateway 120may be dedicated to receiving CMAMs from one or more alert gateways suchas Alert Gateway 110, and may communicate with Alert Gateway 110 using asecure data connection. All other configurations of alert gateways andCMSP gateways, and all other means of communication between suchgateways, including wired, wireless, secure, unsecure, encrypted, andunencrypted, are contemplated as within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

In one embodiment, CMAM 101 may be generated and/or transmitted fromAlert Gateway 110 to CMSP Gateway 120, and may be limited to 90characters and may be based on Common Alert Protocol (CAP) key fields.In one embodiment, CMAM 101 may include a message type, for exampleindicating that CMAM 101 is one of a “CMAS-Presidential”,“CMAS-Extreme-Alert-Message”, “CMAS-Severe-Alert-Message”, or“CMAS-Amber-Alert” type message. Other message types are alsocontemplated. CMAM 101 may also include message contents that areintended for display to users receiving the message.

In one embodiment, CMAM 101 includes geocode 103, which may be generatedby Alert Gateway 110 or any other device within or communicativelyconnected to the CMAS. Geocode 103 may be generated automatically, basedon user input, or a combination of both. Geocode 103 may be referred toas a “CMAC_cmas_geocode”. Geocode 103 may be five characters in length.Such characters may be letters or numbers, or a combination of both.Such characters may be represented in ASCII codes, binaryrepresentations, or any other form or representation that allows such acode to be identified and read by computing devices. The first twocharacters or digits of geocode 103 may identify the state or region ofa geographical area. The last three characters or digits of geocode 103may identify a specific county, region, or equivalent entities withinthe state or region identified by the first two characters or digits.Other quantities of characters or digits used to represent ageographical area, and other combinations of state, region, andgeographical area identifiers are contemplated as within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

In one embodiment, the first two digits or characters of geocode 103 maycontain an indication for a state that follows the two digit FIPS StateNumeric Code as defined in Federal Information Processing Standard 5-2(FIPS 5-2), titled “Codes for the Identification of the States, theDistrict of Columbia and the Outlying Areas of the United States, andAssociated Areas”, dated 28 May 1987. In such an embodiment, if the lastthree characters or digits of geocode 103 are three zeroes (000), such ageocode may indicate that the entire state as specified by the first twodigits or characters is the area of concern for the alert.

In one embodiment, where the last three characters or digits of geocode103 are not three zeroes, the last three characters or digits of geocode103 may contain an indication for a specific county as defined inFederal Information Processing Standard 6-4 (FIPS 6-4), titled “Countiesand Equivalent Entities of the United States, Its Possessions, andAssociated Areas”, dated 31 Aug. 1990.

In one embodiment, an alert message intended for the entire UnitedStates including all states, the District of Columbia, possessions, andassociated areas will be identified by the first two digits orcharacters of geocode 103 being set to “US” and the last threecharacters or digits of geocode 103 being set to “000”, resulting ingeocode 103 containing the code “US000”.

In one embodiment, alerts may be targeted for regions of the country(such as the Gulf States). In such an embodiment, geocode values forregional areas such as FEMA regions or National Weather Service (NWS)regions may be used to construct a geocode such as geocode 103. FEMAregions may be assigned values in the format of “US0xx”, while and theNWS regions may be assigned values in the format of “US1xx”. In oneembodiment, codes may be assigned as shown below in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Geocode Assignments Geocode Definition 00000 Not Used 00001 ForIdentification of states and counties thru 99999 US000 Entire UnitedStates US001 FEMA Region 1 (Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island,Massachusetts, and Connecticut) US002 FEMA Region 2 (New York, NewJersey, Puerto Rico, and Virgin Islands) US003 FEMA Region 3 (Delaware,District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and WestVirginia) US004 FEMA Region 4 (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, NorthCarolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Mississippi) US005FEMA Region 5 (Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, andWisconsin) US006 FEMA Region 6 (Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico,Oklahoma, and Texas) US007 FEMA Region 7 (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, andNebraska) US008 FEMA Region 8 (Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, SouthDakota, and Utah) US009 FEMA Region 9 (Arizona, California, Hawaii,Nevada, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern MarianaIslands, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Federated States ofMicronesia) US010 FEMA Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington)US011 Not Assigned thru US100 US101 National Weather Service (NWS)Central Region (Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky,Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Nebraska) US102 National WeatherService (NWS) Eastern Region (Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, NewJersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina,and Vermont) US103 National Weather Service (NWS) Southern Region(Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, NewMexico, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and Texas) US104 NationalWeather Service (NWS) Western Region (Arizona, California, Idaho,Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) US105 National WeatherService (NWS) Alaska Region (Alaska) US106 National Weather Service(NWS) Pacific Region (Hawaii, Guam, America Samoa) US107 Not Assignedthru US999

Upon receiving CMAM 101 from Alert Gateway 110, CMSP Gateway 120 mayprocess CMAM 101 to determine a set of the cells or nodes within theCMSP network that are to be provided with CMAM 101 for transmission tousers and devices. Such processing may include determining geocode 103from CMAM 101, and determining a specific geographic area or regionwhere all users should receive the contents of CMAM 101 based on thegeocode. For example, CMSP Gateway 120 may determine that CMAM 101, orthe contents of CMAM 101, should be transmitted in region 107 based ongeocode 103. CMSP Gateway 120 may also determine that CMAM 101, or thecontents of CMAM 101, should not be transmitted in region 105 based ongeocode 103. Alternatively, CMSP Gateway 120 may determine that users inall regions served by the CMSP network should receive the contents ofCMAM 101.

In one embodiment, determining a set of cells or nodes may be performedby first determining the first two digits or characters of a geocode anddetermining the state or region of a geographical area. Next, the lastthree digits or characters may be determined, and then a specificcounty, region, or equivalent entities within the state or regionidentified by the first two characters or digits may be determined basedon the area represented by the first two digits or characters. Forexample, if the first two digits or characters are determined toidentify the state of Florida, processing may be implemented to searchonly counties in Florida for matches to the last three digits orcharacters of the geocode. Other searching optimization routines andalgorithms are contemplated as within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

Such processing may further include determining specific cells, nodes,and/or devices that should receive the contents of CMAM 101. Forexample, if CMSP Gateway 120 determines that CMAM 101, or the contentsof CMAM 101, should be transmitted in region 107 based on geocode 103,CMSP Gateway 120 may determine that Cell Broadcast Center 130, BaseStation Controller 140, and/or Base Transceiver Stations 151, 152, and153 should receive CMAM 101 and/or the contents of CMAM 101.Alternatively, CMSP Gateway 120 may determine a region or one or moreparticular devices within a region, such as Cell Broadcast Center 130and/or Base Station Controller 140, that should receive the contents ofCMAM 101, and those devices may determine particular other devices, suchas Base Transceiver Stations 151, 152, and 153, that should also receivethe contents of CMAM 101. In an alternative embodiment, CMSP Gateway 120may merely forward the contents of CMAM 101 to a device, such as CellBroadcast Center 130, that may then determine a region, device(s), etc.that should receive the contents of CMAM 101. Any other combination ororder of determining the devices to receive a CMAM are contemplated.Such processing may be performed using database queries, algorithms,software programs, or any other means of correlating a code with one ormore devices, nodes, cells, regions, etc.

Other processing that may be performed by CMSP Gateway 120 may includeformatting CMAM 101 as necessary to provide the alert to mobile devicesserviced by the CMSP. In the event that multiple CMAMs are received byCMSP Gateway 120, CMSP Gateway 120 will process the CMAMs in a first-infirst-out manner, except for Presidential Alert CMAMs, which may beprocessed before all other non-Presidential Alert CMAMs. Alternatively,other priority schemes may be used that determine CMAM priority based onvarious characteristics of CMAMs.

Once CMAM 101 is processed, CMSP Gateway 120 may transmit processed CMAM101 to Cell Broadcast Center 130. In an alternative embodiment, CMAM 101may not be altered by CMSP Gateway 120, and may be transmitted to CellBroadcast Center 130 unchanged. Cell Broadcast Center 130 may transmitCMAM 101 to Base Station Controller 140 as a cell broadcast service(CBS) message containing the contents of CMAM 101, such as CBS Message102. In one embodiment, Cell Broadcast Center 130 may know to transmitCBS Message 102 based upon the region or device determination performedby CMSP Gateway 120, while in other embodiments, Cell Broadcast Center130 may determine appropriate receiving devices for CBS Message 102 byprocessing geocode 103 itself. The contents of CMAM 101 and relevantdata may be mapped to fields and/or parameters of a CBS message, such asa Write/Replace message of the Request/Indication primitive type asdescribed in the 3GPP TS 23.041 v3.5.0 technical specification datedJune 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.Contents or data relating to CMAM 101 may be mapped to parameters of CBSMessage 102. For example, a CMAM message type may by associated with theCBS message identifier parameter, and the CMAM message contents may bemapped to a CBS message information parameter. Attributes of CMAM 101,such as the CMAM message type, may be derived from CMAM 101 by CellBroadcast Center 130 and inserted into CBS message 102, mapped directlyfrom CMAM 101 to CBS Message 102, or determined from CMAM 101 andincluded or not included in CBS Message 102 as desired. Other mappingsand processing may be used to map or derive CMAM data for the generationof a CBS message, and all such mappings and processing are contemplatedas within the scope of the present disclosure.

Upon receipt of CBS Message 102, Base Station Controller 140 maytransmit CBS Message 102 to the appropriate base stations, such as BaseTransceiver Stations 151, 152, and 153. Base Station Controller 140 maydetermine the appropriate base station transceivers based on geocode103, or may transmit CBS Message 102 to a predefined set of base stationtransceivers by default. Base Transceiver Stations 151, 152, and 153 maytransmit CBS Message 102 to mobile equipment (ME) such as wirelessdevices 161, 162, 163, and 164, thereby alerting the users of thesedevices to the contents of CMAM 101 represented by or contained with CBSmessage 102.

In one embodiment, where the CMSP network includes UMTS technology, BaseStation Controller 140 may be a UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network(UTRAN) that may include a Radio Network Controller. Such a RadioNetwork Controller may provide control functionality for UMTS Node Bsthat serve as base transceiver stations. Base Transceiver Stations 151,152, and 153 may be Node Bs in such a UMTS network and may transmit CBSMessage 102 to wireless devices 161, 162, 163, and 164.

FIG. 2 illustrates a non-limiting, exemplary method 200 of providing anemergency alert to one or user devices. At block 210, an emergency alertis received. Such an alert may be a CMAM as described herein, and may bereceived from an Alert Gateway at a CMSP Gateway. Alternatively, such analert may be received from any other type of device at any other type ofdevice, and may be received over a wired or wireless data communicationsmeans.

At block 220, a geocode may be determined from the emergency alertreceived at block 210. A geocode may be determined using any effectivemeans, including reading and interpreting a computer-readablerepresentation of the geocode. The geocode may be represented in anymanner, including as a set of characters or digits, and/or a set of bitsrepresenting a set of characters or digits. In one embodiment, thegeocode is a set of or a binary representation of five characters ordigits as described herein, with the first two characters or digits ofthe geocode identifying the state or region of a geographical area andthe last three characters or digits of the geocode identifying aspecific county, region, or equivalent entities within the state orregion identified by the first two characters or digits.

At block 230, the specific cells or nodes of a network that are locatedwithin the area specified by the geocode, or are otherwise theappropriate cells or nodes based on the geocode, are determined. Thismay be accomplished using any computing device through any effectivemeans, including database queries and computing algorithms. At block240, a cell broadcast message is generated. The cell broadcast messagemay be an original message based on the emergency alert received atblock 210, or it may include, encapsulate, or other consist of theemergency alert received at block 210. Note that the order ofimplementing method 200 may vary. For example, the cell broadcastmessage may be generated before or after the geocode is determinedand/or the appropriate cells or nodes are determined. At block 250, thegenerated cell broadcast message may be transmitted to one or more ofthe base stations that service the cells or nodes determined at block230.

By evaluating a simple code contained in a CMAS emergency alert, a CMSPoperator may easily and effectively work with the CMAS to provide alertsto the appropriate users. The above described embodiments may beimplemented using any type of devices, network elements, networkconnections, and any combination thereof. Described below are exemplarydevice and network embodiments that may be used to implement the methodsand systems described above. As those skilled in the art willappreciate, alternative means and methods of encoding a geographicalarea in a CMAS emergency alert and processing a CMAS emergency alertcontaining an indication of a geographical area may be used and all suchmeans and methods are contemplated as within the scope of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example wireless device 1010 that may be used inconnection with an embodiment. References will also be made to otherfigures of the present disclosure as appropriate. For example, wirelessdevices 161-164 may each be a wireless device of the type described inregard to FIG. 3, and may have some, all, or none of the components andmodules described in regard to FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that thecomponents and modules of wireless device 1010 illustrated in FIG. 3 areillustrative, and that any number and type of components and/or modulesmay be present in wireless device 1010. In addition, the functionsperformed by any or all of the components and modules illustrated inFIG. 3 may be performed by any number of physical components. Thus, itis possible that in some embodiments the functionality of more than onecomponent and/or module illustrated in FIG. 3 may be performed by anynumber or types of hardware and/or software.

Processor 1021 may be any type of circuitry that performs operations onbehalf of wireless device 1010. In one embodiment, processor 1021executes software (i.e., computer readable instructions stored on acomputer readable medium) that may include functionality related totransmitting and receiving telephonic communications including CBSmessages and/or CMAMs in some form, communicating with, operating, orinterfacing with a CMSP network, and/or running software configured tooperate, communicate, or interface with a CMSP network, for example.User interface module 1022 may be any type or combination of hardwareand/or software that enables a user to operate and interact withwireless device 1010, and, in one embodiment, to interact with a systemor software enabling the user to view, modify, or delete a CBS messagesuch as those containing CMAM data as described herein. For example,user interface module 1022 may include a display, physical and/or “soft”keys, voice recognition software, microphone, speaker and the like.Wireless communication module 1023 may be any type or combination ofhardware and/or software that enables wireless device 1010 tocommunicate with CMSP network equipment, for example, Base TransceiverStations 151-153, or any other type of wireless communications networkor network equipment. Memory 1024 enables wireless device 1010 to storeinformation, such as a CBS message or the like. Memory 1024 may take anyform, such as internal random access memory (RAM), an SD card, a microSDcard and the like. Power supply 1025 may be a battery or other type ofpower input (e.g., a charging cable that is connected to an electricaloutlet, etc.) that is capable of powering wireless device 1010.

SIM 1026 may be any type Subscriber Identity Module and may beconfigured on a removable or non-removable SIM card that allows wirelessdevice 1010 to store data on SIM 1026.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an example processor 1158 which may beemployed in any of the embodiments described herein, including as one ormore components of wireless devices 161-164, as one or more componentsof CMSP equipment or related equipment, such as any component shown inFIG. 1, and/or as one or more components of any third party system orsubsystem that may implement any portion of the subject matter describedherein, such as Alert Gateway 110. It is emphasized that the blockdiagram depicted in FIG. 4 is exemplary and not intended to imply aspecific implementation. Thus, the processor 1158 can be implemented ina single processor or multiple processors. Multiple processors can bedistributed or centrally located. Multiple processors can communicatewirelessly, via hard wire, or a combination thereof.

The processor 1158 comprises a processing portion 1160, a memory portion1162, and an input/output portion 1164. The processing portion 560,memory portion 562, and input/output portion 1164 are coupled together(coupling not shown in FIG. 4) to allow communications between theseportions. The input/output portion 1164 is capable of providing and/orreceiving components, commands, and/or instructions, utilized to, forexample, determine a geocode from a CMAM, correlate a geocode tospecific cells, nodes, base transceiver stations, or other devices, orperform any other type of cell broadcast or wireless communicationsfunction.

The processor 1158 can be implemented as a client processor and/or aserver processor. In a basic configuration, the processor 1158 mayinclude at least one processing portion 1160 and memory portion 1162.The memory portion 1162 can store any information utilized inconjunction with transmitting, receiving, and/or processing CMAMs orcell broadcasts, geocodes, telephonic communications, datacommunications, etc. For example, as described above, the memory portionis capable of storing CMAMs and/or software capable of processing CMAMs.Depending upon the exact configuration and type of processor, the memoryportion 1162 can be volatile (such as RAM) 1166, non-volatile (such asROM, flash memory, etc.) 1168, or a combination thereof. The processor1158 can have additional features/functionality. For example, theprocessor 1158 can include additional storage (removable storage 1170and/or non-removable storage 1172) including, but not limited to,magnetic or optical disks, tape, flash, smart cards or a combinationthereof. Computer storage media, such as memory and storage elements1162, 1170, 1172, 1166, and 1168, include volatile and nonvolatile,removable and non-removable media implemented in any method ortechnology for storage of information such as computer readableinstructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Computerstorage media include, but are not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flashmemory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD)or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magneticdisk storage or other magnetic storage devices, universal serial bus(USB) compatible memory, smart cards, or any other medium which can beused to store the desired information and which can be accessed by theprocessor 1158. Any such computer storage media may be part of theprocessor 1158.

The processor 1158 can also contain the communications connection(s)1180 that allow the processor 1158 to communicate with other devices,for example through CMSP equipment as illustrated in FIG. 1.Communications connection(s) 1180 is an example of communication media.Communication media typically embody computer-readable instructions,data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated datasignal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includesany information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example,and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as awired network or direct-wired connection as might be used with a landline telephone, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared,cellular, and other wireless media. The term computer-readable media asused herein includes both storage media and communication media. Theprocessor 1158 also can have input device(s) 1176 such as keyboard,keypad, mouse, pen, voice input device, touch input device, etc. Outputdevice(s) 1174 such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. also can beincluded.

CMSP networks and equipment as illustrated in FIG. 1 may comprise anyappropriate telephony radio network, or any other type of communicationsnetwork, wireline or wireless, or any combination thereof. The followingdescription sets forth some exemplary telephony radio networks, such asthe global system for mobile communications (GSM), and non-limitingoperating environments. The below-described operating environmentsshould be considered non-exhaustive, however, and thus thebelow-described network architectures merely show how cell broadcastsmay be generated and transmitted based, at least in part, on a geocode,with stationary and non-stationary network structures and architectures.It can be appreciated, however, that methods and systems for encoding ageographical area in an emergency alert and processing an emergencyalert containing an indication of a geographical area such as thosedescribed herein can be incorporated with existing and/or futurealternative architectures for communication networks as well.

The GSM is one of the most widely utilized wireless access systems intoday's fast growing communication environment. The GSM providescircuit-switched data services to subscribers, such as mobile telephoneor computer users. The General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), which is anextension to GSM technology, introduces packet switching to GSMnetworks. The GPRS uses a packet-based wireless communication technologyto transfer high and low speed data and signaling in an efficientmanner. The GPRS attempts to optimize the use of network and radioresources, thus enabling the cost effective and efficient use of GSMnetwork resources for packet mode applications.

As one of ordinary skill in the art can appreciate, the exemplaryGSM/GPRS environment and services described herein also can be extendedto 3G services, such as Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS),Frequency Division Duplexing (FDD) and Time Division Duplexing (TDD),High Speed Packet Data Access (HSPDA), cdma2000 1x Evolution DataOptimized (EVDO), Code Division Multiple Access-2000 (cdma2000 3x), TimeDivision Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA), WidebandCode Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Enhanced Data GSM Environment(EDGE), International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT-2000), DigitalEnhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT), 4G Services such as LongTerm Evolution (LTE), etc., as well as to other network services thatbecome available in time. In this regard, the systems and methods forencoding a geographical area in an emergency alert and processing anemergency alert containing an indication of a geographical area can beapplied independently of the method of data transport, and do not dependon any particular network architecture, or underlying protocols.

FIG. 5 depicts an overall block diagram of an exemplary packet-basedmobile cellular network environment, such as a GPRS network, in whichthe systems and methods for encoding a geographical area in an emergencyalert and processing an emergency alert containing an indication of ageographical area such as those described herein can be practiced. In anexample configuration, the CMSP equipment as illustrated in FIG. 1 maybe encompassed by the network environment depicted in FIG. 5. In such anenvironment, there may be a plurality of Base Station Subsystems (BSS)900 (only one is shown), each of which comprises a Base StationController (BSC) 902 serving a plurality of Base Transceiver Stations(BTS) such as BTSs 904, 906, and 908. BTSs 904, 906, 908, etc. are theaccess points where users of packet-based mobile devices (e.g., wirelessdevices 161-164) become connected to the wireless network. In exemplaryfashion, the packet traffic originating from user devices (e.g.,wireless devices 161-164) may be transported via an over-the-airinterface to a BTS 908, and from the BTS 908 to the BSC 902. Basestation subsystems, such as BSS 900, may be a part of internal framerelay network 910 that can include Service GPRS Support Nodes (SGSN)such as SGSN 912 and 914. Each SGSN may be connected to an internalpacket network 920 through which a SGSN 912, 914, etc. may route datapackets to and from a plurality of gateway GPRS support nodes (GGSN)922, 924, 926, etc. As illustrated, SGSN 914 and GGSNs 922, 924, and 926may be part of internal packet network 920. Gateway GPRS serving nodes922, 924 and 926 may provide an interface to external Internet Protocol(IP) networks, such as Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) 950, corporateintranets 940, or Fixed-End System (FES) or the public Internet 930. Asillustrated, subscriber corporate network 940 may be connected to GGSN924 via firewall 932, and PLMN 950 may be connected to GGSN 924 viaborder gateway router 934. The Remote Authentication Dial-In UserService (RADIUS) server 942 may be used for caller authentication when auser of a mobile cellular device calls corporate network 940.

Generally, there can be four different cell sizes in a GSM network,referred to as macro, micro, pico, and umbrella cells. The coverage areaof each cell is different in different environments. Macro cells may beregarded as cells in which the base station antenna is installed in amast or a building above average roof top level. Micro cells are cellswhose antenna height is under average roof top level. Micro-cells may betypically used in urban areas. Pico cells are small cells having adiameter of a few dozen meters. Pico cells may be used mainly indoors.On the other hand, umbrella cells may be used to cover shadowed regionsof smaller cells and fill in gaps in coverage between those cells.

FIG. 6 illustrates an architecture of a typical GPRS network segmentedinto four groups: users 1050, radio access network 1060, core network1070, and interconnect network 1080. Users 1050 may comprise a pluralityof end users (though only mobile subscriber 1055 is shown in FIG. 6). Inan example embodiment, the device depicted as mobile subscriber 1055 maycomprise wireless devices 161-164. Radio access network 1060 comprises aplurality of base station subsystems such as BSSs 1062, which includeBTSs 1064 and BSCs 1066. Core network 1070 comprises a host of variousnetwork elements. As illustrated here, core network 1070 may compriseMobile Switching Center (MSC) 1071, Service Control Point (SCP) 1072,gateway MSC 1073, SGSN 1076, Home Location Register (HLR) 1074,Authentication Center (AuC) 1075, Domain Name Server (DNS) 1077, andGGSN 1078. Interconnect network 1080 may also comprise a host of variousnetworks and other network elements. As illustrated in FIG. 6,interconnect network 1080 comprises Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN) 1082, Fixed-End System (FES) or Internet 1084, firewall 1088, andCorporate Network 1089.

A mobile switching center may be connected to a large number of basestation controllers. At MSC 1071, for instance, depending on the type oftraffic, the traffic may be separated in that voice may be sent toPublic Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 1082 through Gateway MSC (GMSC)1073, and/or data may be sent to SGSN 1076, which then sends the datatraffic to GGSN 1078 for further forwarding.

When MSC 1071 receives call traffic, for example, from BSC 1066, it maysend a query to a database hosted by SCP 1072. The SCP 1072 may processthe request and may issue a response to MSC 1071 so that it may continuecall processing as appropriate.

The HLR 1074 may be a centralized database for users to register to theGPRS network. HLR 1074 may store static information about thesubscribers such as the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI),subscribed services, and a key for authenticating the subscriber. HLR1074 may also store dynamic subscriber information such as the currentlocation of the mobile subscriber. HLR 1074 may also serve to interceptand determine the validity of destination numbers in messages sent froma device, such as mobile subscriber 1055, as described herein.Associated with HLR 1074 may be AuC 1075. AuC 1075 may be a databasethat contains the algorithms for authenticating subscribers and mayinclude the associated keys for encryption to safeguard the user inputfor authentication.

In the following, depending on context, the term “mobile subscriber”sometimes refers to the end user and sometimes to the actual portabledevice, such as wireless devices 161-164 and 261-264, used by an enduser of the mobile cellular service or a CMSP. When a mobile subscriberturns on his or her mobile device, the mobile device may go through anattach process by which the mobile device attaches to an SGSN of theGPRS network. In FIG. 6, when mobile subscriber 1055 initiates theattach process by turning on the network capabilities of the mobiledevice, an attach request may be sent by mobile subscriber 1055 to SGSN1076. The SGSN 1076 queries another SGSN, to which mobile subscriber1055 was attached before, for the identity of mobile subscriber 1055.Upon receiving the identity of mobile subscriber 1055 from the otherSGSN, SGSN 1076 may request more information from mobile subscriber1055. This information may be used to authenticate mobile subscriber1055 to SGSN 1076 by HLR 1074. Once verified, SGSN 1076 sends a locationupdate to HLR 1074 indicating the change of location to a new SGSN, inthis case SGSN 1076. HLR 1074 may notify the old SGSN, to which mobilesubscriber 1055 was attached before, to cancel the location process formobile subscriber 1055. HLR 1074 may then notify SGSN 1076 that thelocation update has been performed. At this time, SGSN 1076 sends anAttach Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055, which in turn sends anAttach Complete message to SGSN 1076.

After attaching itself with the network, mobile subscriber 1055 may thengo through the authentication process. In the authentication process,SGSN 1076 may send the authentication information to HLR 1074, which maysend information back to SGSN 1076 based on the user profile that waspart of the user's initial setup. The SGSN 1076 may then send a requestfor authentication and ciphering to mobile subscriber 1055. The mobilesubscriber 1055 may use an algorithm to send the user identification(ID) and password to SGSN 1076. The SGSN 1076 may use the same algorithmand compares the result. If a match occurs, SGSN 1076 authenticatesmobile subscriber 1055.

Next, the mobile subscriber 1055 may establish a user session with thedestination network, corporate network 1089, by going through a PacketData Protocol (PDP) activation process. Briefly, in the process, mobilesubscriber 1055 may request access to the Access Point Name (APN), forexample, UPS.com, and SGSN 1076 may receive the activation request frommobile subscriber 1055. SGSN 1076 may then initiate a Domain NameService (DNS) query to learn which GGSN node has access to the UPS.comAPN. The DNS query may be sent to the DNS server within the core network1070, such as DNS 1077, which may be provisioned to map to one or moreGGSN nodes in the core network 1070. Based on the APN, the mapped GGSN1078 can access the requested corporate network 1089. The SGSN 1076 maythen send to GGSN 1078 a Create Packet Data Protocol (PDP) ContextRequest message that contains necessary information. The GGSN 1078 maysend a Create PDP Context Response message to SGSN 1076, which may thensend an Activate PDP Context Accept message to mobile subscriber 1055.

Once activated, data packets of the call made by mobile subscriber 1055may then go through radio access network 1060, core network 1070, andinterconnect network 1080, in a particular fixed-end system, or Internet1084 and firewall 1088, to reach corporate network 1089.

Thus, network elements that can invoke the functionality for encoding ageographical area in an emergency alert and processing an emergencyalert containing an indication of a geographical area such as thosedescribed herein can include but are not limited to Gateway GPRS SupportNode tables, Fixed End System router tables, firewall systems, VPNtunnels, and any number of other network elements as required by theparticular digital network.

FIG. 7 illustrates another exemplary block diagram view of a GSM/GPRS/IPmultimedia network architecture 1100 in which the systems and methodsfor encoding a geographical area in an emergency alert and processing anemergency alert containing an indication of a geographical area such asthose described herein can be incorporated. As illustrated, architecture1100 of FIG. 7 includes a GSM core network 1101, a GPRS network 1130 andan IP multimedia network 1138. The GSM core network 1101 includes aMobile Station (MS) 1102, at least one Base Transceiver Station (BTS)1104 and a Base Station Controller (BSC) 1106. The MS 1102 is physicalequipment or Mobile Equipment (ME), such as a mobile telephone or alaptop computer (e.g., wireless devices 161-164) that is used by mobilesubscribers, in one embodiment with a Subscriber identity Module (SIM).The SIM may include an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI),which is a unique identifier of a subscriber. The BTS 1104 may bephysical equipment, such as a radio tower, that enables a radiointerface to communicate with the MS. Each BTS may serve more than oneMS. The BSC 1106 may manage radio resources, including the BTS. The BSCmay be connected to several BTSs. The BSC and BTS components, incombination, are generally referred to as a base station (BSS) or radioaccess network (RAN) 1103.

The GSM core network 1101 may also include a Mobile Switching Center(MSC) 1108, a Gateway Mobile Switching Center (GMSC) 1110, a HomeLocation Register (HLR) 1112, Visitor Location Register (VLR) 1114, anAuthentication Center (AuC) 1118, and an Equipment Identity Register(EIR) 1116. The MSC 1108 may perform a switching function for thenetwork. The MSC may also perform other functions, such as registration,authentication, location updating, handovers, and call routing. The GMSC1110 may provide a gateway between the GSM network and other networks,such as an Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) or Public SwitchedTelephone Networks (PSTNs) 1120. Thus, the GMSC 1110 providesinterworking functionality with external networks.

The HLR 1112 is a database that may contain administrative informationregarding each subscriber registered in a corresponding GSM network.Such information may also include geographical cell or node lists,and/or geocode encoding or decoding data. The HLR 1112 may also containthe current location of each MS. The VLR 1114 may be a database thatcontains selected administrative information from the HLR 1112. The VLRmay contain information necessary for call control and provision ofsubscribed services for each MS currently located in a geographical areacontrolled by the VLR. The VLR may also contain geographical cell ornode lists, and/or geocode encoding or decoding data. The HLR 1112 andthe VLR 1114, together with the MSC 1108, may provide the call routingand roaming capabilities of GSM, as well as geocode determinationfunctionality. The AuC 1116 may provide the parameters needed forauthentication and encryption functions. Such parameters allowverification of a subscriber's identity. The EIR 1118 may storesecurity-sensitive information about the mobile equipment.

A Short Message Service Center (SMSC) 1109 allows one-to-one shortmessage service (SMS), or multimedia message service (MMS), messages tobe sent to/from the MS 1102. A Push Proxy Gateway (PPG) 1111 is used to“push” (i.e., send without a synchronous request) content to the MS1102. The PPG 1111 acts as a proxy between wired and wireless networksto facilitate pushing of data to the MS 1102. A Short Message Peer toPeer (SMPP) protocol router 1113 may be provided to convert SMS-basedSMPP messages to cell broadcast messages. SMPP is a protocol forexchanging SMS messages between SMS peer entities such as short messageservice centers. The SMPP protocol is often used to allow third parties,e.g., content suppliers such as news organizations, to submit bulkmessages.

To gain access to GSM services, such as voice, data, short messageservice (SMS), and multimedia message service (MMS), the MS may firstregister with the network to indicate its current location by performinga location update and IMSI attach procedure. The MS 1102 may send alocation update including its current location information to theMSC/VLR, via the BTS 1104 and the BSC 1106. The location information maythen be sent to the MS's HLR. The HLR may be updated with the locationinformation received from the MSC/VLR. The location update may also beperformed when the MS moves to a new location area. Typically, thelocation update may be periodically performed to update the database aslocation updating events occur.

The GPRS network 1130 may be logically implemented on the GSM corenetwork architecture by introducing two packet-switching network nodes,a serving GPRS support node (SGSN) 1132, a cell broadcast and a GatewayGPRS support node (GGSN) 1134. The SGSN 1132 may be at the samehierarchical level as the MSC 1108 in the GSM network. The SGSN maycontrol the connection between the GPRS network and the MS 1102. TheSGSN may also keep track of individual MS's locations and securityfunctions and access controls.

A Cell Broadcast Center (CBC) 1133 may communicate cell broadcastmessages that are typically delivered to multiple users in a specifiedarea. Cell Broadcast is one-to-many geographically focused service. Itenables messages to be communicated to multiple mobile telephonecustomers who are located within a given part of its network coveragearea at the time the message is broadcast.

The GGSN 1134 may provide a gateway between the GPRS network and apublic packet network (PDN) or other IP networks 1136. That is, the GGSNmay provide interworking functionality with external networks, and setup a logical link to the MS through the SGSN. When packet-switched dataleaves the GPRS network, it may be transferred to an external TCP-IPnetwork 1136, such as an X.25 network or the Internet. In order toaccess GPRS services, the MS first attaches itself to the GPRS networkby performing an attach procedure. The MS then activates a packet dataprotocol (PDP) context, thus activating a packet communication sessionbetween the MS, the SGSN, and the GGSN.

In a GSM/GPRS network, GPRS services and GSM services may be used inparallel. The MS may operate in one three classes: class A, class B, andclass C. A class A MS may attach to the network for both GPRS servicesand GSM services simultaneously. A class A MS may also supportsimultaneous operation of GPRS services and GSM services. For example,class A mobiles may receive GSM voice/data/SMS calls and GPRS data callsat the same time.

A class B MS may attach to the network for both GPRS services and GSMservices simultaneously. However, a class B MS does not supportsimultaneous operation of the GPRS services and GSM services. That is, aclass B MS can only use one of the two services at a given time.

A class C MS can attach for only one of the GPRS services and GSMservices at a time. Simultaneous attachment and operation of GPRSservices and GSM services is not possible with a class C MS.

A GPRS network 1130 may be designed to operate in three networkoperation modes (NOM1, NOM2 and NOM3). A network operation mode of aGPRS network may be indicated by a parameter in system informationmessages transmitted within a cell. The system information messages maydirect a MS where to listen for paging messages and how to signaltowards the network. The network operation mode represents thecapabilities of the GPRS network. In a NOM1 network, a MS can receivepages from a circuit switched domain (voice call) when engaged in a datacall. The MS can suspend the data call or take both simultaneously,depending on the ability of the MS. In a NOM2 network, a MS may notreceive pages from a circuit switched domain when engaged in a datacall, since the MS is receiving data and is not listening to a pagingchannel. In a NOM3 network, a MS can monitor pages for a circuitswitched network while receiving data and vice versa.

The IP multimedia network 1138 was introduced with 3GPP Release 5, andmay include an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) 1140 to provide richmultimedia services to end users. A representative set of the networkentities within the IMS 1140 are a call/session control function (CSCF),a media gateway control function (MGCF) 1146, a media gateway (MGW)1148, and a master subscriber database, called a home subscriber server(HSS) 1150. The HSS 1150 may be common to the GSM core network 1101, theGPRS network 1130 as well as the IP multimedia network 1138.

The IP multimedia system 1140 may be built around the call/sessioncontrol function, of which there are three types: an interrogating CSCF(I-CSCF) 1143, a proxy CSCF (P-CSCF) 1142, and a serving CSCF (S-CSCF)1144. The P-CSCF 1142 is the MS's first point of contact with the IMS1140. The P-CSCF 1142 may forward session initiation protocol (SIP)messages received from the MS to an SIP server in a home network (andvice versa) of the MS. The P-CSCF 1142 may also modify an outgoingrequest according to a set of rules defined by the network operator (forexample, address analysis and potential modification).

The I-CSCF 1143 forms an entrance to a home network and hides the innertopology of the home network from other networks and providesflexibility for selecting an S-CSCF. The I-CSCF 1143 may contact asubscriber location function (SLF) 1145 to determine which HSS 1150 touse for the particular subscriber, if multiple HSSs 1150 are present.The S-CSCF 1144 may perform the session control services for the MS1102. This includes routing originating sessions to external networksand routing terminating sessions to visited networks. The S-CSCF 1144may also decide whether an application server (AS) 1152 is required toreceive information on an incoming SIP session request to ensureappropriate service handling. This decision is based on informationreceived from the HSS 1150 (or other sources, such as an applicationserver 1152). The AS 1152 may also communicate to a location server 1156(e.g., a Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)) that provides a position(e.g., latitude/longitude coordinates) of the MS 1102.

The HSS 1150 may contain a subscriber profile and may keep track ofwhich core network node is currently handling the subscriber. It mayalso support subscriber authentication and authorization functions(AAA). In networks with more than one HSS 1150, a subscriber locationfunction provides information on the HSS 1150 that contains the profileof a given subscriber.

The MGCF 1146 may provide interworking functionality between SIP sessioncontrol signaling from the IMS 1140 and ISUP/BICC call control signalingfrom the external GSTN networks (not shown.) It may also control themedia gateway (MGW) 1148 that provides user-plane interworkingfunctionality (e.g., converting between AMR- and PCM-coded voice.) TheMGW 1148 may also communicate with other IP multimedia networks 1154.

Push to Talk over Cellular (PoC) capable mobile telephones may registerwith the wireless network when the telephones are in a predefined area(e.g., job site, etc.) When the mobile telephones leave the area, theymay register with the network in their new location as being outside thepredefined area. This registration, however, does not indicate theactual physical location of the mobile telephones outside thepre-defined area.

While example embodiments of systems and methods for encoding ageographical area in an emergency alert and processing an emergencyalert containing an indication of a geographical area such as thosedescribed herein have been described in connection with variouscommunications devices and computing devices/processors, the underlyingconcepts can be applied to any communications or computing device,processor, or system capable of implementing the geocode encoding andprocessing systems and methods described. The various techniquesdescribed herein can be implemented in connection with hardware orsoftware or, where appropriate, with a combination of both. Thus, themethods and apparatuses for encoding a geographical area in an emergencyalert and processing an emergency alert containing an indication of ageographical area, or certain aspects or portions thereof, can take theform of program code (i.e., instructions) embodied in tangible media,such as floppy diskettes, CD-ROMs, hard drives, or any othermachine-readable storage medium, wherein, when the program code isloaded into and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machinebecomes an apparatus for CMAS message mapping. In the case of programcode execution on programmable computers, the computing device willgenerally include a processor, a storage medium readable by theprocessor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storageelements), at least one input device, and at least one output device.The program(s) can be implemented in assembly or machine language, ifdesired. The language can be a compiled or interpreted language, andcombined with hardware implementations.

The methods and systems for encoding a geographical area in an emergencyalert and processing an emergency alert containing an indication of ageographical area as described herein can also be practiced viacommunications embodied in the form of program code that is transmittedover some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring orcabling, through fiber optics, or via any other form of transmission,wherein, when the program code is received and loaded into and executedby a machine, such as an EPROM, a gate array, a programmable logicdevice (PLD), a client computer, or the like, the machine becomes anapparatus for a geocode encoding and/or processing system. Whenimplemented on a general-purpose processor, the program code combineswith the processor to provide a unique apparatus that operates to invokethe functionality of a geocode encoding and/or processing system.Additionally, any storage techniques used in connection with a geocodeencoding and/or processing system can invariably be a combination ofhardware and software.

While the systems and methods for encoding a geographical area in anemergency alert and processing an emergency alert containing anindication of a geographical area have been described in connection withthe various embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments can be used or modifications andadditions can be made to the described embodiments for performing thesame functions of a geocode encoding and/or processing system withoutdeviating from the described systems and methods. For example, oneskilled in the art will recognize that a geocode encoding and/orprocessing system as described in the present application may apply toany environment, whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to anynumber of such devices connected via a communications network andinteracting across the network. Therefore, geocode encoding and/orprocessing systems such as those described herein should not be limitedto any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth andscope in accordance with the appended claims.

1. A system for identifying a geographical area from a code in anemergency alert, the system comprising: a receiver configured to receivethe emergency alert; a processor configured to determine a geographicalcode from the emergency alert; and the processor further configured todetermine the geographical area from the geographical code by:determining a first geographical region from a first subset of thegeographical code, and determining a second geographical region from asecond subset of the geographical code, wherein the second geographicalregion is within the first geographical region.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the first subset of the geographical code is a representationof two characters, and wherein the second subset of the geographicalcode is a representation of three characters.
 3. The system of claim 1,wherein the emergency alert is a Commercial Mobile Alert Message (CMAM).4. The system of claim 1, further comprising determining contents of theemergency alert and generating a broadcast message comprising at least aportion of the contents of the emergency alert.
 5. The system of claim4, further comprising transmitting the broadcast message to at least onewireless device within the geographical area.
 6. The system of claim 1,further comprising determining at least one base transceiver stationwithin the geographical area.
 7. The system of claim 1, furthercomprising determining at least one base station controller within thegeographical area.
 8. The system of claim 1, further comprisingdetermining at least one UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN)within the geographical area.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is configured on a Commercial Mobile Service Provider (CMSP)gateway.
 10. The system of claim 1, wherein the processor is configuredon a cell broadcast center.
 11. The system of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is configured on a base station controller.
 12. A method ofencoding a geographical area in an emergency alert, the methodcomprising: receiving a first geographical region on a computing device;receiving a second geographical region on the computing device;receiving alert contents on the computing device; generating, on thecomputing device, a first subset of a geographical code representing thefirst geographical region comprising two characters; generating, on thecomputing device, a second subset of the geographical code representingthe second geographical region comprising three characters; generating,on the computing device, the emergency alert comprising the firstsubset, the second subset, and the alert contents; and transmitting theemergency alert to a Commercial Mobile Service Provider (CMSP).
 13. Themethod of claim 12, wherein generating the first subset of thegeographical code comprises selecting two characters from FederalInformation Processing Standard state numeric codes based on thereceived first geographical region.
 14. The method of claim 12, whereingenerating the second subset of the geographical code comprisesselecting three characters from Federal Information Processing Standardcounty numeric codes based on the received second geographical region.15. The method of claim 12, wherein the first geographical regioncomprises the United States, and wherein generating the first subset ofthe geographical code comprises generating the characters “US” based onthe first geographical region.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein thesecond geographical region comprises a Federal Emergency ManagementAgency (FEMA) region, and wherein generating the second subset of thegeographical code comprises selecting three characters representing theFEMA region.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the second geographicalregion comprises a National Weather Service (NWS) region, and whereingenerating the second subset of the geographical code comprisesselecting three characters representing the NWS region.